Landry Fields out as starter, replaced by Toney Douglas

CHARLOTTE -- Landry Fields was the only member of the New York Knicks to start every single game this season. That distinction ends tonight.

Coach Mike D'Antoni announced that Toney Douglas will be the new starting two-guard for the Knicks, who were looking to snap a five-game losing streak as they played the Charlotte Bobcats on Saturday night.

Only a week after publicly and emphatically ruling out a starting alignment of Chauncey Billups and Douglas, the desperation that the losing streak has produced prompted D'Antoni to change his mind. A hint that this change might be in the offing came during Friday night's loss to the Milwaukee Bucks when Douglas started the second half alongside Billups.

Shawne Williams also was in the starting lineup vs. the Bobcats as Ronny Turiaf sat out with a sore ankle.

"I think we need some more speed in the lineup, and just trying something a little bit different," D'Antoni said "Landry has been playing well, I just think we need to put some pressure on the point guards, and Toney is one of the best at it."

D'Antoni said Billups will remain the primary ballhandler, and that Anthony Carter would continue to see playing time after his solid performance off the bench Friday night against the Bucks.

As for Fields, D'Antoni said he expected to play him 20-30 minutes off the bench.

"He said we were going to switch up some stuff," said Fields, whose production has dropped off since the Carmelo Anthony trade. "I wouldn't say that it's anything I'm not doing or anything like that. I just think it's the new makeup of the team, and trying to find ways to be more successful."

Fields had 11 double-doubles (reaching double figures in points and rebounds) prior to the trade but has not recorded a single one since. He scored just 4 points on 1-for-6 shooting against the Bucks.

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